The 2024-2025 NBA Basketball Season

[WiggyRuss]

Cavs in LA on New Year's Eve on the 2nd night of a West-Coast back to back. We will see just how mentally focused they are I guess. lol. I hope they don't chalk this one up.

They have won the last 7 games by no less than double digits. Hope there isnt a let up but this seems like it might be one of those games.

 

[flyerhawk]

Repeatability is key. Fewer moving parts helps with that, and Embiid has a simple, effective form. I get so frustrated watching guys like Lebron start fading on their FTs during games.

Oh for sure. Embiid has a very consistent and even shooting stroke.

 

[WiggyRuss]

It isn’t hate.

Look at his stats. Look at his play style.

It has worked the last few games.

But Russ hasn’t all of a sudden changed who he is. He is still shooting 4 3s a game in these minutes. He has just been finishing extremely well at the rim over this stretch of games.

And Russ’ play over the last 2-3 seasons suggests he will not keep that up.

And my bet is that when this hot streak ends, so too will Denver’s winning with Russ starting.

do the Wiz have any hope of being relevant this decade?

 

[WiggyRuss]

Oh for sure. Embiid has a very consistent and even shooting stroke.

@shopson67 brought me back with that post. LeBron has changed his free throw shot so many times--- the falling away is just strange.

 

[thunderc]

do the Wiz have any hope of being relevant this decade?

Cooper Flagg would help but only a 14% chance

 

[shopson67]

do the Wiz have any hope of being relevant this decade?

I think so, but they're definitely a few years away. They've been a dumping ground for misfit assets lately, but as they move off of those, they should have a decent coffer of picks and developing prospects to move forward with.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Washington Wizards Draft Picks In the Perpetual Suck Era

2024- R1 pick 2- Alex Sarr
2024- R1 pick 14- Bub Carrington-
2024- R1 pick 24- Kyshawn George

2023- R1 pick 8 basically took Bilal Coulibly after trade with Pacers

2022- R1 pick 10 Johhny Davis

2021- R1 pick 15 Corey Kispart

2020- R1 pick 9- Deni Avdija

2019 R1 pick 9- Rui Hachimura

2018- R1 pick 15 Troy Brown Jr.

No first rounders in 16 or 17

@tlance acts like it is all totally luck to get a stud in the draft. You have to understand that a franchise needs to be competent- and realize- well, winning 36 games isnt a great strategy. Being in the middle is death in the NBA. Keeping vets like Beal past their top end prime to win a few extra games is stupid.

Smart franchises trade those type of guys, bottom out, loan out cap space, and get more bites at the apple- more chances.

Its something the Cavs and OKC have each done twice in recent NBA history. Realize the middle sucks- bottom out, loan out cap space, trade guys for more picks- get lucky with a Baron Davis lotto pick trade etc....

you will NEVER get lucky riding Bradley Beal to 35 wins and drafting 14.

you MIGHT get lucky if you suck, get extra picks, get picks far out with low protections, etc......

its how you go from 4 straight NBA finals, to bottoming out, to drafting in the top 5 twice, and having the ammo to trade for Donovan Mitchell. Or for drafting Kyrie and the ammo to trade for Love.

The Wiz are clueless how to run a franchise. No amount of luck would save them. They have not even given themselves the opportunity to be the recipient of good luck.

 

[WiggyRuss]

The Cavs were in the Finals in 2017-18.

LeBron left. They bottomed out. The cupboard was BARE as it could be after trading just about everything not nailed down.

They sucked for 3 years. Drafted Garland 5th, Mobley 3rd, and Okoro 6th. The only very strong draft was the Mobley draft. The Okoro draft was incredibly weak.

They picked the right guy in Garland. IF the draft was re-done today he would go no later than 3rd--- probably 2nd depending on what you think of Zion's future.

Mobley- they took 3rd. Did a great job. I wouldnt take anyone drafted behind him, and arguably youd take him over Cunningham and Green.

The Cavs 2 big shots at drafting All Stars they smashed outta the park. Guys that if the draft was re-done today would probably go either 1st or 2nd overall. The Okoro draft was terrible talent wise beside Edwards at 1 and LaMelo at 3. Okoro was not a terrible pick at 5 considering how that draft ended up. Maxey is prob. the 3rd best player from that class and he was taken at 21. Oh yah- if we forget the AWESOME James Wisemen that everyone told me I was a hater for saying would suck. lol.

The Allen trade they hit outta the park. The Mitchell trade they hit out of the park. Their one opportunity to spend at least a little bit of money was Strus- which looks like a solid signing- a lot of guys a lot worse than Strus are getting more money. LeVert ended up being a solid trade.

No luck in this iteration. Just nailing draft picks and making good decisions.

 

[Shanemansj13]

The Cavs were in the Finals in 2017-18.

LeBron left. They bottomed out. The cupboard was BARE as it could be after trading just about everything not nailed down.

They sucked for 3 years. Drafted Garland 5th, Mobley 3rd, and Okoro 6th. The only very strong draft was the Mobley draft. The Okoro draft was incredibly weak.

They picked the right guy in Garland. IF the draft was re-done today he would go no later than 3rd--- probably 2nd depending on what you think of Zion's future.

Mobley- they took 3rd. Did a great job. I wouldnt take anyone drafted behind him, and arguably youd take him over Cunningham and Green.

The Cavs 2 big shots at drafting All Stars they smashed outta the park. Guys that if the draft was re-done today would probably go either 1st or 2nd overall. The Okoro draft was terrible talent wise beside Edwards at 1 and LaMelo at 3. Okoro was not a terrible pick at 5 considering how that draft ended up. Maxey is prob. the 3rd best player from that class and he was taken at 21. Oh yah- if we forget the AWESOME James Wisemen that everyone told me I was a hater for saying would suck. lol.

The Allen trade they hit outta the park. The Mitchell trade they hit out of the park. Their one opportunity to spend at least a little bit of money was Strus- which looks like a solid signing- a lot of guys a lot worse than Strus are getting more money. LeVert ended up being a solid trade.

No luck in this iteration. Just nailing draft picks and making good decisions.

Pretty remarkable quick turnaround. I think the fact it happened so fast and the FO didn’t spend any extra years trying to contend helped expediate the process. Once Kyrie forced his way out, Lebron gave it one last shot. They got some assets for Kyrie (not much) then it was a series of great draft picks and trades. Koby is one of the best GM’s

 

[dtgold88]

Okc, Denver, San Antonio is a growing triangle of important economic zones.
Nba wants their piece of that. They've already done most the work in that region.

Detroit was a mess and largely still is. Couldn't put lebron there. Detroit is heading in the right direction, but it's still actually a broke ass shithole.

Detroit was one of the best teams in the East at that time (they had Houston's pick at #2).

Might want to read up on these things before you put that tinfoil hat on.

 

[tlance]

Your point?

I did not say that

No idea why it is quoting me

 

[tlance]

do the Wiz have any hope of being relevant this decade?

Yes.

Because they have finally bottomed out.

Now be patient with the lottery, be bad a couple more years and hopefully get a top pick this year to add a stud to a couple talented young players like Sarr and Coulibaly.

 

[dtgold88]

The Cavs were in the Finals in 2017-18.

LeBron left. They bottomed out. The cupboard was BARE as it could be after trading just about everything not nailed down.

They sucked for 3 years. Drafted Garland 5th, Mobley 3rd, and Okoro 6th. The only very strong draft was the Mobley draft. The Okoro draft was incredibly weak.

They picked the right guy in Garland. IF the draft was re-done today he would go no later than 3rd--- probably 2nd depending on what you think of Zion's future.

Mobley- they took 3rd. Did a great job. I wouldnt take anyone drafted behind him, and arguably youd take him over Cunningham and Green.

The Cavs 2 big shots at drafting All Stars they smashed outta the park. Guys that if the draft was re-done today would probably go either 1st or 2nd overall. The Okoro draft was terrible talent wise beside Edwards at 1 and LaMelo at 3. Okoro was not a terrible pick at 5 considering how that draft ended up. Maxey is prob. the 3rd best player from that class and he was taken at 21. Oh yah- if we forget the AWESOME James Wisemen that everyone told me I was a hater for saying would suck. lol.

The Allen trade they hit outta the park. The Mitchell trade they hit out of the park. Their one opportunity to spend at least a little bit of money was Strus- which looks like a solid signing- a lot of guys a lot worse than Strus are getting more money. LeVert ended up being a solid trade.

No luck in this iteration. Just nailing draft picks and making good decisions.

.......and the GM many said we needed to keep? Not looking so good for his team.

I think Okoro went 5th but still agree with what you said. I mean, after the consensus top guys in a draft it's usually a crapshoot. as you mention that draft it was Edwards, Ball and Wiseman.

Just wonder if we can keep it together much longer....can keep the core 4 as signed for a while. But what about guys like Merrill, Strus and Jerome who may want much bigger paydays. Levert, too (may not want much bigger but guessing don't want into aprons.

 

[tlance]

Washington Wizards Draft Picks In the Perpetual Suck Era

2024- R1 pick 2- Alex Sarr
2024- R1 pick 14- Bub Carrington-
2024- R1 pick 24- Kyshawn George

2023- R1 pick 8 basically took Bilal Coulibly after trade with Pacers

2022- R1 pick 10 Johhny Davis

2021- R1 pick 15 Corey Kispart

2020- R1 pick 9- Deni Avdija

2019 R1 pick 9- Rui Hachimura

2018- R1 pick 15 Troy Brown Jr.

No first rounders in 16 or 17

@tlance acts like it is all totally luck to get a stud in the draft. You have to understand that a franchise needs to be competent- and realize- well, winning 36 games isnt a great strategy. Being in the middle is death in the NBA. Keeping vets like Beal past their top end prime to win a few extra games is stupid.

Smart franchises trade those type of guys, bottom out, loan out cap space, and get more bites at the apple- more chances.

Its something the Cavs and OKC have each done twice in recent NBA history. Realize the middle sucks- bottom out, loan out cap space, trade guys for more picks- get lucky with a Baron Davis lotto pick trade etc....

you will NEVER get lucky riding Bradley Beal to 35 wins and drafting 14.

you MIGHT get lucky if you suck, get extra picks, get picks far out with low protections, etc......

its how you go from 4 straight NBA finals, to bottoming out, to drafting in the top 5 twice, and having the ammo to trade for Donovan Mitchell. Or for drafting Kyrie and the ammo to trade for Love.

The Wiz are clueless how to run a franchise. No amount of luck would save them. They have not even given themselves the opportunity to be the recipient of good luck.

I have never acted like it is luck aside from getting that generational player (Wemby, LeBron, maybe Flagg?). I have also never claimed the Wizards have been competently run.

And even then, as it relates to the luck part, you have to be bad enough to get the ammunition to get the franchise players.

And I wanted them to blow it up and get out of the middle 4 years before they actually did.

Pretty funny you acting like I was ever on board with how the Wizards were being run.

 

[dtgold88]

It’s good to see that trade working well for N.O

while I have been critical of those being critical of the Cavs for losing Griff...he has certainly not done so great in NO.

 

[Shanemansj13]

.......and the GM many said we needed to keep? Not looking so good for his team.

I think Okoro went 5th but still agree with what you said. I mean, after the consensus top guys in a draft it's usually a crapshoot. as you mention that draft it was Edwards, Ball and Wiseman.

Just wonder if we can keep it together much longer....can keep the core 4 as signed for a while. But what about guys like Merrill, Strus and Jerome who may want much bigger paydays. Levert, too (may not want much bigger but guessing don't want into aprons.

And if Okoro is the “worst” of his picks, that is pretty damn good. The ‘20 was a top 3 draft then meh after except for Hali, who went 12. The fact Okoro got extended and he improved his 3 ball makes this pick good too…as far as that draft

 

[dtgold88]

Philly only had 1 Number pick in the past 10 years. But your point still stands. Still conspiracy theories involving the league being in the tank for Oklahoma City and San Antonio should be laughed at.

Or Cleveland, Detroit, Portland, Seattle, MN, etc.

 

[dtgold88]

And if Okoro is the “worst” of his picks, that is pretty damn good. The ‘20 was a top 3 draft then meh after except for Hali, who went 12. The fact Okoro got extended and he improved his 3 ball makes this pick good too…as far as that draft

The kid is becoming a decent 3 and D guy....not a star by any means. But to shoot nearly 50% overall and from 3 and play really good D is what this team needs from him.

Wnt score a lot, of course, because not needed......but in games we had guards out in past I've seen him score. Put him on a team like the Nets he scores in the teens IMO.

 

[flyerhawk]

Or Cleveland, Detroit, Portland, Seattle, MN, etc.

Honestly the only cities that make even a little sense would be LA and New York and clearly that hasn't happened.

 

[dtgold88]

Dean Wade is the glue guy for Cleveland. They need him to stay healthy.

Guess needs to stay healthy and hopefully can figure out way to keep him.